Abstract

The current status of nuclear data evaluations for fusion technologies is reviewed. Well-qualified data are available for neutronics and activation calculations of fusion power reactors and the next-step device ITER, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor. Major challenges for the further development of fusion nuclear data arise from the needs of the long-term fusion programme. In particular, co-variance data are required for uncertainty assessments of nuclear responses. Further, the nuclear data libraries need to be extended to higher energies above 20 MeV to enable neutronics and activation calculations of IFMIF, the International Fusion Material Irradiation Facility. A significant experimental effort is required in this field to provide a reliable and sound database for the evaluation of cross-section data in the higher energy range.

@article{osti_20722463,
title = {Nuclear Data for Fusion Energy Technologies: Requests, Status and Development Needs},
author = {Fischer, U. and Batistoni, P. and Cheng, E. and Forrest, R.A. and Nishitani, T.},
abstractNote = {The current status of nuclear data evaluations for fusion technologies is reviewed. Well-qualified data are available for neutronics and activation calculations of fusion power reactors and the next-step device ITER, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor. Major challenges for the further development of fusion nuclear data arise from the needs of the long-term fusion programme. In particular, co-variance data are required for uncertainty assessments of nuclear responses. Further, the nuclear data libraries need to be extended to higher energies above 20 MeV to enable neutronics and activation calculations of IFMIF, the International Fusion Material Irradiation Facility. A significant experimental effort is required in this field to provide a reliable and sound database for the evaluation of cross-section data in the higher energy range.},
doi = {10.1063/1.1945284},
journal = {AIP Conference Proceedings},
number = 1,
volume = 769,
place = {United States},
year = 2005,
month = 5
}

Nuclear data needs can play an important role for innovative nuclear systems. However, in order to establish priority items, a systematic sensitivity/uncertainty analysis must be performed. Same selected examples will be discussed in this paper.

An overview of the present status of development of fusion nuclear technologies at Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute is presented. A tritium handling system for the ITER was designed, and the technology for each component of this system was demonstrated successfully. An ultraviolet laser with a wavelength of 193 nm was found quite effective for removing tritium from in-vessel components of D-T fusion reactors. Blanket technologies have been developed for the test blanket module of the ITER and for advanced blankets for DEMO reactors. This blanket is composed of ceramic Li{sub 2}TiO{sub 3} breeder pebbles and neutron multiplier beryllium pebbles,more » whose diameter ranges from 0.2 to 2 mm, contained in a box structure made of a reduced-activation ferritic steel, F82H. Mechanical properties of F82H under a thermal neutron irradiation at up to 50 displacements per atom (dpa) were obtained in a temperature range from 200 to 500 deg. C. Design of the International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF) has been developed to obtain engineering data for candidate materials for DEMO reactors under a simulated fusion neutron irradiation up to 100 to 200 dpa, and basic development of the key technologies to construct the IFMIF is now under way as an International Energy Agency international collaboration.« less

As part of the U.S. DOE Office of Fusion Energy Nuclear Data Needs program, we have continued assessment of the nuclear data needs for the development of fusion energy. We have identified and reviewed the high priority elements whose neutron emission data are needed for a near-term fusion ignition facility and fusion power reactor designs for demonstrating the scientific and engineering feasibilities of fusion energy. We found that most of the elements identified here are lacking experimental data from 6 to 15 MeV except hydrogen, lithium, beryllium, and copper. A list of high priority dosimetry cross sections was developed thatmore » includes some 29 reactions, including 6 reactions recommended by the plasma diagnostic group of PPPL. Of these 29 reactions, 18 cross sections were chosen to be included in the ENDF/BVI dosimetry files. The activation cross sections needed for elements to be used in the near-term ignition device and future power reactors were compiled. These cross sections were prioritized according to their activation levels and half-lives of their activation products. All these cross sections are going to be included in the END/B-VI activation files.« less

As part of the US DOE Office of Fusion Energy Nuclear Data Needs program, we have continued assessment of the nuclear data needs for the development of fusion energy. We have identified and reviewed the high priority elements whose neutron emission data are needed for a near-term fusion ignition facility and fusion power reactor designs for demonstrating the scientific and engineering feasibilities of fusion energy. We found that most of the elements identified here are lacking experimental data from 6 to 15 MeV except hydrogen, lithium, beryllium, and copper. A list of high priority dosimetry cross sections was developed thatmore » includes some 29 reactions, including 6 reactions recommended by the plasma diagnostic group of PPPL. Of these 29 reactions, 18 cross sections were chosen to be included in the ENDF/B-VI dosimetry files. The activation cross sections needed for elements to be used in the near-term ignition device and future power reactors were compiled. These cross sections were prioritized according to their activation levels and half-lives of their activation products. All these cross sections are going to be included in the END/B-VI activation files.« less